Manchester United were unable to field Noussair Mazraoui against Bournemouth on Monday after Morocco declined to release the defender, despite updated FIFA guidelines on Africa Cup of Nations call ups.
FIFA announced earlier this month that clubs are required to release players for AFCON starting Dec. 15, rather than 14 days before the tournament. United expected Mazraoui to be available for the Premier League fixture and requested that he remain with the club for the match.
While Cameroon and Ivory Coast allowed Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo to play for their clubs on Monday, Morocco rejected United’s request. According to ESPN, the English club raised the issue with FIFA, but the governing body did not intervene.
Morocco instead kept Mazraoui with the national team for a training session as preparations continued for the tournament.
With Mazraoui unavailable and center backs Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire sidelined by injury, United manager Ruben Amorim deployed Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw in a back three. United conceded four goals in a 4 4 draw with Bournemouth.
Despite the result, United remain sixth in the Premier League and are set to visit Aston Villa this weekend.
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